Book info:
Title: Dear Martin
Author: Nic Stone
Pub. Date: October 17, 2017
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 224
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook
Synopsis:
Justyce
McAllister is top of his class, captain of the debate team, and set for the Ivy
League next year—but none of that matters to the police officer who just put
him in handcuffs. He is eventually released without charges (or an apology),
but the incident has Justyce spooked. Despite leaving his rough neighborhood,
he can’t seem to escape the scorn of his former peers or the attitude of his
prep school classmates. The only exception: Sarah Jane, Justyce’s gorgeous—and
white—debate partner he wishes he didn’t have a thing for.
Struggling to cope with it all, Justyce starts a journal to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. But do Dr. King’s teachings hold up in the modern world? Justyce isn’t so sure.
Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up. Way up. Much to the fury of the white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. And Justyce and Manny get caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it’s Justyce who is under attack. The truth of what happened that night—some would kill to know. Justyce is dying to forget.
Excerpt:
Jared: Well, anyone born here is a citizen with full rights.
There are people who claim certain “injustices” are race- related, but if you
ask me, they’re just being divisive.
Justyce: [Inhales deeply and rubs his wrists.]
Jared:
America’s a pretty color-blind place now. SJ: Of course you would say that.
Manny: Oh boy.
SJ: It never ceases to amaze me that guys like you have your
heads so far up your entitled asses—
Doc: Sarah-Jane.
SJ: Sorry. It’s just—you’re completely oblivious to the
struggles of anyone outside your little social group.
Jared: Whatever, SJ.
SJ: I’m serious. What about the economic disparities? What
about the fact that proportionally speaking, there are more people of color
living in poverty than white people? Have you even thought about that?
Jared: Dude, Manny drives a Range Rover.
Manny: What does
that have to do with anything?
Jared: No beef, dude. I’m just saying your folks make way
more money than mine.
Manny: Okay. They worked really hard to get to where they
are, so—
Jared: I’m not saying they didn’t, dude. You just proved my
point. Black people have the same opportunities as white people in this country
if they’re willing to work hard enough. Manny’s parents are a perfect example.
SJ: Seriously? You really think one example proves things
are equal? What about Justyce? His mom works sixty hours a week, but she
doesn’t make a tenth of what your dad ma—
Justyce: S, chill with that, man.
SJ: Sorry, Jus. What I’m saying is Manny’s parents are an
exception. Have you not noticed there are only eight black kids in our whole
school?
Jared: Well, maybe if more people were like Manny’s parents,
that wouldn’t be the case.
Justyce: [Takes another deep breath.]
SJ: Ah, okay . . . so you’re saying people just need to pull
themselves up by their bootstraps?
Jared: Exactly.
SJ: In order to do that, they have to be able to afford
boots.
Manny: Dang. Point for SJ.
Jared: Whatever. There are people on welfare strutting
around in Air Jordans, so there’s obviously some footwear money coming from somewhere.
And don’t get all high and mighty, SJ. Your ancestors owned slaves just like
mine did.
SJ: Wrong, numbnuts—
Doc: Ms. Friedman . . .
SJ: Sorry, Doc. As I was saying, my great-grandparents
immigrated to this country from Poland after narrowly escaping Chelmno.
Jared: What?
SJ: It was a Nazi death camp. And you just proved my point
again. You’d spew a lot less asininity if you were willing to see beyond the
eighteenth hole of your country club golf course.
Doc: Reel it in, SJ.
Jared: Just so you know, Manny’s parents have been members
of our country club longer than we have.
Manny: Bro!
Jared: Just sayin’, dude.
SJ: God. This country is headed to hell in a handbasket with
people like you at the helm, Jared.
Justyce: [Chuckles.]
Jared: Anyway, to those unfamiliar with the US Constitution,
thanks to the Fourteenth Amendment, every person in this country has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness—
SJ: Bullshit.
Doc: SJ!
SJ: It’s true!
Justyce: You need to chill, S.
SJ: Are you serious?
Justyce: Yeah, I am.
SJ: You of all people know I’m right, Jus—
Justyce: Leave me
outta this.
About the Author:
Nic
Stone was born and raised in a suburb of Atlanta, GA, and the only thing she
loves more than an adventure is a good story about one. After graduating from
Spelman College, she worked extensively in teen mentoring and lived in Israel
for a few years before returning to the US to write full-time. Growing up with
a wide range of cultures, religions, and backgrounds, Stone strives to bring
these diverse voices and stories to her work.
You can
find her goofing off and/or fangirling over her husband and sons on most social
media platforms as @getnicced.
Giveaway:
- 3 winners will receive a finished copy of DEAR MARTIN, US Only.
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Tour Schedule:
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Week Four:
11/10/2017- A Backwards Story- Review
